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From Helsinki commuter to tourist — which app fits you?
Finland's public transport network is genuinely one of Europe's best. But picking the best public transport app Finland has to offer can be the difference between a smooth commute and watching your bus drive past while your phone says "2 minutes." Here's an honest comparison of the top Finland transit apps — including the best HSL alternative app for real-time tracking.
See buses, trams, metros, ferries, and trains moving live on the map. 3-second updates from HSL's official data.
Download on Google Play Visit WebsitePrice: Free | Platform: Android | Coverage: HSL (Helsinki region)
If you've ever watched a bus drive past while your app said "3 minutes," you get why Reitti exists. Unlike schedule-based apps, Reitti shows live vehicle GPS positions on a map — you literally see your bus, tram, metro, ferry, or train moving in real-time.
Best for: Daily commuters who want actual vehicle positions, not schedule estimates. Also great for anyone who's ever missed a bus because their app was wrong.
Privacy: No personal data collection. Location only used when you choose.
🔗 Download on Google Play | Website
Price: Free | Platform: Android, iOS | Coverage: HSL
The official Helsinki Regional Transport Authority app. Reliable for schedules, route planning, and ticket purchasing (you can buy HSL tickets directly in the app). The catch? It doesn't show live vehicle positions — arrival times come from schedules and estimates, not actual GPS locations.
Best for: Buying tickets and basic route planning. If you need to purchase a ticket, this is your app.
Price: Free | Platform: Android, iOS, Web | Coverage: Finland-wide + global
Google Maps integrates HSL data reasonably well for route planning. Great if you're combining walking, cycling, and public transport in one trip. Real-time data is available but depends on what HSL provides through their API — individual vehicle positions aren't tracked.
Best for: Tourists and multi-modal trips. Not specialized for deep public transport tracking.
Price: Free (with ads) | Platform: Android, iOS | Coverage: 3,400+ cities globally
Moovit covers Helsinki and many Finnish cities, combining user-reported data with official feeds. It's good if you're already familiar with Moovit from other cities. The ad-supported model can feel intrusive, and real-time accuracy varies by region.
Best for: Travelers who use Moovit across multiple cities. Solid features, but the ads get annoying.
Price: Free | Platform: Android, iOS | Coverage: Individual cities
Cities like Tampere (Nysse) and Turku (Föli) have their own official apps. They work well for ticket purchases and schedules within those cities, but they don't cover the whole country.
Best for: Residents of those specific cities who need local tickets.
| Feature | Reitti | HSL | Google Maps | Moovit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live vehicle GPS | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ Partial | ⚠️ Limited |
| Stop alerts | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ticket purchase | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Free, no ads | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Finland-specific | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Vehicle filtering | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Favorite stops | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Honestly, the best setup for most people is two apps — Reitti for tracking + HSL for tickets. They complement each other perfectly, and both are free.